Ray Charles

Name: Ray Charles (RayRay)

Age: 8 years

Breed: Shih Tzu

Sex: Male (altered per owner, not yet confirmed)

Location: Sacramento, CA

Vet Info: RayRay's owner writes that he's neutered, up to date on vaccines, and heartworm negative, but this has not yet been confirmed.  RayRay weighs about 12 pounds.  

Owner Info: Ray Charles (RayRay) is an adorable little fellow who was saved from a local shelter.  RayRay and his owner's other special needs dog do not get along, and he has become aggressive towards the other dog.  She does not want to return him to the shelter and is trying desperately to find him a new home or rescue.  She writes, "This is a healthy, happy, smart, and affectionate dog. He deserves a shot of getting a comfy lap to call his own." She has had RayRay for three weeks.

RayRay is an indoor dog confined to one area of the house, he is housebroken and leash trained, and already knows Sit and Lay!  His owner tells us he's a smart fellow!  "Very good attention when holding treat in hand, eager to learn."  She also tells us RayRay adapts well to new situations, enjoys walks, and is a low maintenance fellow.  "This dog is such low maintenance and so easy to care for you almost forget he is blind. Very housebroken. Quiet (when he doesn't hear another dog). Adapts very well to his indoor and outdoor surroundings. Still likes to walk about actively."

RayRay is described as outgoing and nervous, and is good with men, women and teenagers, and cats.  He currently lives with another dog and two cats.  He is not possessive of toys, treats, or food.  His owner gave us more information about how he is when meeting others:  ..."he's blind so when he 1st meets a person, he's very friendly and active and loves pets yet if he's unsure of who you are and where you are touching he will let you know with a nip. Never broke skin. But with that said, after a week of owning him, he grew right out of this and shows no aggression to new people or handler. " 

She does tell us that he seems to be dog aggressive, and gave us more details:  "Sometimes he can smell my (quiet) dog in the room and will growl and bark with a tail wag. Whenever he has met my other dog on leash he will jump up, bark, and try and bite. He hasn't been able to bite my dog though."

RayRay is completely blind.  "He had both his eyes removed after he was surrendered to the shelter I found him at. With that said, after his healing period (which is already over) he doesn't need any medicine or need anything else to be done with his eyes. And with his easily adaptive skills he's quite the low key special needs kind of pooch."

RayRay's owner wants us to know what a special fellow he is, and that he deserves a second chance.  "For a disabled/ disadvantaged senior, this pup really is low maintenance. He's very workable. Very smart and eager especially with a treat in hand. Despite his age he acts like any other healthy adult dog. And has a great mentality to get past his loss of sight....This dog deserve this second chance. He's happy, healthy, friendly, loving and smart. He just wants a lap to call his own. He's very forgiving to the "ruff" life he's experienced and deserves the right to live out his life in peace that the shelter and myself could not give him."